PP3: Showreel Professional Feedback

I figured that if I am to contact professionals they are to assist me in providing me with constructive criticism on my showreel. Furthermore, if they happen to like it, they might suggest it or me as a practitioner to someone they know about a project. For now I have messaged Fraser MacLean and Jorge Zambrano of MRZ Productons and am awaiting their response.

Thanks to LinkedIn I got contacted by Manqaro Corporation about being a 2D animator working on their new app Multickle that allows people to put their face on animated characters. Upon their initial contacting, I inquired about the details, the specifications, and the contract regarding remuneration, and am still awaiting a reply. Alongside this, I got contacted by a web developer by the name of Dev for possible future projects where he recommended me to his peers. Although both of these contacts are not set in stone, they might turn out very beneficial to me.

All pictures are within the "Studio Brief 1" folder of my submission in order to avoid any privacy infringements.

PP3: Possible Studio Internships

I have contacted two studios for potential internships. Both studios are located in Zagreb, Croatia, making them a lot more easy to commute to and/or temporarily move to if I land an internship. Alongside this, I have a friend of my father living within Croatia which could potentially help me with accommodation and orientation should I get an internship and decide to briefly stay there. I contacted these studios because they fit my near future post-college plans. First studio is Bonobo Studio: an independent studio of experimental filmmakers and animators. Their multi-faceted nature of animation allow me to fit as a generalist or 2D animation intern within the studio. They do both independent films and commissioned work, either of which would fit my MO if I get an internship. The second studio is Adriatic Animation with a similar style. Under their production the film Life With Herman H. Rott was created, grasping my attention since the very first MAF I attended. I had known of this studio for quite some time, but just now considered contacting them in this window of opportunity. Although they did not specify anything about an internship on their website - asking only for ideas and pitches, I procured one from them in hopes of getting a response. Even if they decline, this studio might serve as a springing board for fueling an idea for an animation in the future.

PP3 Position: Newgrounds Profile

I felt that I needed to connect more with other avant-garde artists and animators that would be up for collaboration in the future. Since Vimeo is strictly showcase-driven, LinkedIn being professional, I turned to the art portal known as Newgrounds because of its small but genuine community of content-creators. Newgrounds has been one of the reasons I developed my love for animation hence I have been browsing its submissions since 2010, however was never a content-creator for it. I uploaded my most prideful animations on there and within days I was contacted by an animator with an invite to be a part of his online webisode series "FlowDownStream" whose style and surreal nature is similar to that of Adult Swim's "Off The Air". Nonetheless, although not commission-based, Newgrounds opens up an opportunity for a future professional endeavor as many well-known web-based animators have flourished through this phantasmic art portal.

PP3 Position: Showreel

Finally, having all my best animated work collated together, I have made my showreel! With music provided by music student Aleksandar Moraitov, it evades any possible copyright claims. Short and sweet, every piece of animation lasts no longer than 5 seconds, providing variety to the eye and the audiences attention span-driven necessity for fast and plentiful visual stimulation. The Portfolio Building study task has proven quite helpful in building the colorfulness of my showreel, making it feature a plethora of different styles and techniques. In comparison with my previous showreel, this one does not linger as much, enabling it to hold the audience's attention for much longer. Furthermore, there is a significant reduction of several skits of a singular animation being featured inconsecutively. Conclusively, now with my visual identity having a firm appearance, the showreel adds the finishing touch to the symbiosis of my aesthetic to both style and presentation as the infographic displaying my details at the end aligns with my business card and still portfolio cover.

Showreel: https://vimeo.com/269482591

PP3 Position: Behance Update

In order to enhance my public portfolio based on the business cards I have issued, I have updated my Behance profile with pieces of graphic design that are within my PDF portfolio but were not online. Alongside the graphic design pieces, I also added the 3D UV Maps from the Orchard Pig brief during Level 5 since they are quite sturdy and showcase my versatility.

https://www.behance.net/vladimirvo079e

PP3: Gallery Space/Bar Idea

Mock-Up for logo

One of my future considerations for expanding the art culture in Macedonia is through opening a creative space/bar, which would be one of a kind in Skopje for the time being. Many of my friends are staying in Skopje post-graduation, three of which are very interested in such a proposal for their future investment. One of them is my cousin who studies economics and business, perfectly fit to put his studies into use through opening up an establishment. In order for the freelance art scene to reach its post-modern peak, enabling a lot of digital artists to easily sustain their practice within the country, I believe that platforms for promotion need to be created, hence the exhibition/bar space. Taking advantage of Macedonia’s jovial drinking culture, the bar would more likely attract people to an exhibition when it is associated not with white perforated walls and cheap wine in a frenzy, but with a lively, organic atmosphere splattered with vivacious colors and culture. I’ve already made a mock-up design for the logo to try and capture the vibe with the name “The Four Gems” that we all agreed can be fitting for the space. At every exhibition of young artists I’ve been to there has been a deficit of people and enthusiasm, for the modern human needs a lot of versatile stimuli in order to engage with artistry and not perceive it as a pretentious façade. This project would go into action a year after I graduate in order for my partners to graduate as well and invest themselves into this idea full-time. Lastly, I am perfectly aware that this is not going to be a definite realization, however, all of us will do our best to try and manifest this bar into being.

PP3 Position: 2D Portfolio

With my newly acquired basic skills of InDesign post-induction, I crafted the first iteration of my visual portfolio. Considering that alongside animation I wish to do graphic design in a commissionable fashion, I needed to collate all of my designs into one file ready for sending alongside my CV. Through my business cards I managed to get contacted by a representative of Eurolink Security for future endeavors, upon which I was asked to attach a portfolio. I will be building upon it as future projects gather, adding more slides and making it more broad and versatile.

PP3 Position: Refined CV

After the tutorial discussion outlining the modifications I needed to make to my CV, I felt a lot more confident in placing the entirety of my commissions. The thing I feared the most professionally was the thought of my works coming across as amateur and mediocre, jeopardizing my creative impetus within the eyes of potential clients going through my CV. One must not think about such detrimental and paranoid lapses of reason disguised as the awaiting reality that is to soon clutch the artist. Not having to directly work with such corporate conventions, a CV was something that I associated with desk jobs, which is not the case. Furthermore, since there is no universal format of how a CV needs to look or be written like, I narrowed down my imagination to fit my presupposed visions of formality to an absolute degree. Nonetheless, I have now revisited my CV so that it may appeal not only textually but also visually. I added all of my commissioned works there thinking before that only resonant ones fit in a CV.

Final Refined CV

PP3 Research: Freelancers Back Home

Be it animation, graphic design, or illustration, my personal desired practice revolves around freelancing within Skopje (generally, and a bit abroad). Considering that I have already made a few contacts and have already done some commissioned work successfully, the first step is complete. With my new business cards I am to expand even further to sustain my personal practice and try to find some artist with whom I may do an independent film for one of the festivals (note: I already know of some people that are up for it, nothing set in stone though). Thus, the best way to even more so expand this vision is by analyzing freelancers' practice and then attempt to establish a connection with them.

Mihajlo "The Micho" Danailovski
I've mentioned him so many times before due to his unique style of illustration and completely freelance-sustained career. I have already talked to him (hence he is also the art director of Lynx Animation Studio) and am planning to go into more detail with him so that I may find more connections and contacts with whom I am to collaborate or for whom I'm going to work for. Furthermore, he can teach me about self-sustaining practices since his artistry is featured on Kickstarter, which he uses to fund his work and maintain his prolific craft. The Micho's creative practice is successful because of its consistency, his prolific drawing, and his style that stands-out amongst others'. In light of the interview from last year, what I've learned from him is to keep drawing and not believe that I tools (such as the Wacom) will in any way augment my drawing skills - learning from the roots is the best.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/512772051/rise-to-nobility/description

Zoran Cardula
Cardula is a Skopje based graphic designer that uses his art not only for commercial purposes but also in events that highlight the awareness of social issues within the city. Recently, with the occasion of the 3rd of December being the International Day of People with Disabilities, he released an illustrated book with the language and writings of his autistic daughter Erato. The book contains 47 made-up words by Erato, translated in 19 languages, as well as 47 illustrations that 33 different artists annotated in accordance to the words that she had created. Cardula uses his art to not only collate artists together for a common cause, but to also highlight issues and send messages of love to the masses instead of just using it as a commercial tool. I wish to conduct an interview or a casual get-together with him so that he may give me some advice and tips on any upcoming such projects that I'd love to be a part of. My uncle, which is a project manager, has already assigned me an infographic project for kids with special needs as my first cousin (his daughter) is affected with a disability that is now, through his activity, catered to around Macedonia. With the assistance of Cardula, I believe that I can add substance to my artistic practice and assist the community as well as create my own independent practice, much like this visceral Skopje artist does.

https://www.selfdevelopshop.com/artist-father-gives-his-autistic-daughter-the-most-unique-present-imaginable

Гуш и Бац - Hug and Kiss - The illustrated book of Cardula that raises awareness for people with special needs through a visual and engaging manner

PP3: Not Twerking, But Networking

It is beneficial to visit all kinds of festivals or meetings in order to develop a better understanding of your craft and create sturdy connections that will hail you future jobs and an array of opportunities. Considering that I am to be spending a substantial amount of time in Macedonia upon graduation. I felt it necessary to identify networking opportunities there as well as on an international level.

KLIK Animation Festival
Having discussed about this festival in the college's studios with my peers as well as tutors, I believe this to be a quintessential chance to establish networks after I would have already made my graduation film, which would be the strongest stamp in my portfolio. With my business cards already prepared, I would have an effective strategy contacting all the avant-garde animators that will feature their shorts there as well as the studios that would consider offering me a job abroad while I'm back home.

Annecy Animation Festival
Following from the previous festival, Annecy had proven to be a really inclusive festival with a myriad of meetings, workshops, and even parties that loosened the tongues of and sparked conversation between professionals and students in animation that resulted in establishing networks. With a LinkedIn profile now I am able to easily keep in touch with the people I would meet and would be more inclined to talk to.

Leeds Young Film Festival
It would be interesting to establish a network with young animators as well for you never know what one can learn from any individual, no matter their age, they might have more experience than me in numerous sub-fields of animation.

Animafest Zagreb
With my COP being all about Zagreb Film's Yugoslavian animation and the consequential evolution of their technique and audience, Animafest is a wonderful opportunity to establish connections that are closer to home. The people I would meet there might have some essential information about the animation industry in the Balkan, which is where I would be working for quite a while after graduation until time hails a better opportunity.

Manaki Brothers Film Festival
Situated in Skopje, this film festival features all kinds of films from the native scene. Lacking in animation, it might be a perfect opportunity to expose myself to filmmakers that might need some aspects of animation in their films, proposing collaboration.

Skopje Film Festival
More avant-garde, this film festival features independent films as well, proposing the same aforementioned but more along my caliber of underground films, for the time being.

2017 Shorty Shorts Film Festival - The Audience Awards
I have been offered to submit my animation "Breakfast Nightmare" to the 2017 Shorty Shorts Film Festival. This gives me a platform to expose my work to different types of audiences (since this is not an animation-strictly audience award). If it is to win it will be screened with my name displayed, which might catch the eye of filmmakers and animators alike to contact me for a business opportunity or a network development.

Animation World Network
A forum where I've seen animators share tips and tricks about animation. Perhaps it is a wonderful place to enhance my software skills, especially about Illustrator for it is a program that I have actively started using and want to know more about (as I've been designing posters and logos for a plethora of reasons, both personal and commercial).

John Vardar Screening by Lynx Animation Studio
The first feature-length Macedonian animation will be screened by Lynx Animation Studio - the same studio I did a presentation on last year and have already established a small network with the manager and art director for a future possibility of working there upon my graduation. The screening would be a great opportunity to meet up with some of the animators working in the studio, as well as the manager and art director, to discuss a possible position that I might fill.

Animation InsiderAn online website where animators interview each other. Efficient since I can ask about signature techniques of fellow animators about 2D or Stop-Motion, and even a little bit of 3D as well.

Stuttgart Festival of Animated Films
A festival where I would get the same exposure and inspiration like Annecy, except I would also be able to practice speaking German as I will set upon to finish this endeavor once I graduate.

Holland Animation Film FestivalA two-birds-with-one-stone festival where I would have a place to stay, as well. My cousin Oleg Voinovski is studying college in Utrecht, where the animation festival is held. It would be a great opportunity to network and visit my brother-like cousin during his studies hence he could not visit me (due to having to issue a visa).

PP3 Position: Online Presence

In order to solidify my future freelancing career I felt it necessary to establish a professional online profile. I now have these online accounts:

Behance - Since all of the commissioned (and paid) work that I've done ever since I've gotten into college has been illustrative or graphic design, I figured it would be useful to have an online portfolio of that if someone is to desire a poster being made. Furthermore, I find it quite satisfying working making posters for events and bands that I support, for it maximizes the experience for me as well, both professional and social.

https://www.behance.net/vladimirvo079e

Vimeo - I've had Vimeo for a bit, and it is the main link that I've been posting everywhere.

https://vimeo.com/vvoinovski

LinkedIn - Although I had created a LinkedIn account before the summer, I had not developed it to be a cogent profile. I've started making connections and adding people that I know to my social circles with the hopes of opening possible future work endeavors and opportunities. The next step would be to advance into getting endorsements for my skills as well as writing down all the substantial work experiences and volunteering work I've done throughout the years.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/vladimir-voinovski-07b7a8150/

ISSUU - Created last year, here I will post all literary work I shall create if there are such opportunities in the future considering I adore writing and have gotten several such assignments of that nature before.

https://issuu.com/vvoinovski

PP3 Position: Business Cards

3rd of November: In order to facilitate my online artistic presence I require business cards. I've been thinking about this move since last year, and had designed some already, however, upon further consideration I've found that my initial designs did not reflect my artistry nor my contacts. Furthermore, it did not have a firm, solid logo. So I started my new designs, starting with a logo that is simple yet visceral. Based of an old picture of me, I vectorized my face and added the caligraphy logo that I was going to use for my ambient album (for which I have chosen a cover with my face logo but not the lettering one). It features my recent artistic pseudonym that I plan on using for all future art endeavors: Alvaldr - an old norse name that means "king of the world", which is the initial meaning of my real name Vladimir. Following one of my peers' recent conviction of printing out their own business cards gave me an inspiration to avoid stagnation and get this taken care of for it would be imperative for contacting practitioners and establishing networks, which is what this module is about. I've sent out an order to Vistaprint and am expecting them on the 10th of November

Simple business card designs

November 10th - The business cards have arrived with a complementary metal carrier case. I will start handing them out as soon as possible.